City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Spectator Sports

Telephone: (877) 664-8661

Address: 1111 University SE

Description: Professional Bull Riders, Inc., comes to Albuquerque for three days of competition each spring for the Ty Murray Invitational. The 2009 event was at the end of March, and future dates should be similar. The Ty Murray Invitational pits tough men against tough animals in, appropriately enough, the Pit. The event has been held in Albuquerque since 1997 but moved from Tingley Coliseum to the University of New Mexico’s Pit in 2009. The elite contest has four competition rounds, with the first three randomly matching the sport’s top 40 bull riders against the toughest bulls. The leading 15 scorers move on to the finals on the third day to compete for the coveted title. The 2009 winner, Zack Brown, took home over $34,000 and was the only competitor to ride every one of his bulls over the three-day challenge. Tickets can be purchased from www.unmtickets.com or by calling (877) 664-8661.